Cementos Progreso SA, has opened a new cement manufacturing facility at mile 34 on the George Price Hwy. in the Belize District. The opening of the facility was done in a small inauguration ceremony with much fanfare, which including a ‘ribbon cutting’ by the Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceno.
Government of Belize Video:
Cementos Progreso is headquartered in Guatemala City and is one of the largest cement manufacturer in Central America. The company has approximately 1,300 employees and many facilities all over Guatemala. Latest annual revenue was reported at $221.7 million USD or $1.7-billion Guatemalan Quetzals’.
Cementos Progreso’s manufacturing plant at mile 34 on the George Price Hwy. will produce 5800psi and 4000psi cement.
Cement is not concrete; concrete is the final hardened product after it is mixed with sand and gravel (known in that industry as ‘AGRIGATES ‘ ) and then mixed with water.
The 5800 psi cement is the stronger type of cement.
Residential communities such as La Democracia and Mahogany Heights should benefit from new jobs that should be created as the company ramps up it manufacturing facility for infrastructure development in Belize and potential exports to CARICOM member states.
Prior to the arrival of Cementos Progreso, most of the cement used for construction in Belize was the MAYA brand, which is produced by an even larger conglomerate, CEMEX International SA of Mexico; Which is the largest cement company in the Americas.
How Is Cement Made: video courtesy – Hamid & Sara Engineering
In early 2021 FORBES MAGAZINE Centro-America, did a news article on Cementos Progreso and stated –
“The firm has a 75% share of the cement market in Guatemala, due to the 3 million tons that come out of its kilns each year.”
By establishing a plant in Belize, Cementos Progreso SA now has the potential to export to other CARICOM member states; without high tariffs that would be imposed if it were shipped from Guatemala, but those options will need to be approved by CARICOM’s Trade regulators.
Written & Compiled by: channel1Belize.com / digitalBelize,LIVE Staff writer – July 6th. 2021 – digitalbelize@gmail.com